Retreat to the Wilderness
Psalm 3:5-6 While running from Absalom, David writes psalm 3, trusting in the Lord's protection. Just like David, the Lord protects us.
10/13/20262 min read
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Psalm 3:5-6 (NKJV)
King David wrote psalm 3 when he personally betrayed by his son Absalom who plotted to take over his reign and had to leave his kingdom for the wilderness and hide. Once in the wilderness, he found solace and was able to find time for reflection and prayer, leading to divine assurance from God. He knew in his heart that God would protect him in his time of trouble and even if tens of thousands of people had come against him, he would not be afraid because the Lord was right there with him, sustaining and providing for him.
When we feel that the whole world is against us and we are going to lose big, we need to be like David and retreat to the wilderness to find solace, reflect on our situation, and find strength in the Lord. The business of everyday life can overwhelm us, and even if we are praying every morning and reading the bible, we can still become overwhelmed and need more time with the Lord to refocus our priorities. Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Like Jesus, we need to take the time to study scripture, pray for strength and wisdom, and wait on the Lord, listening to what He has to reveal to us. When we are in the wilderness, we realize that God is bigger than all our problems and we find it in our hearts that He will protect us.
Choose to take the time to retreat to the wilderness and reconnect with God. Find somewhere you can go to for a day, or half day, every three to four months where you can be alone with God, without any outside distractions. Turn your phone off, because it is just you and God time. Examine your heart and intentions before God, rest in His presence, and trust Him with your life and receive direction. Pray and meditate, using scripture as your guide, allowing God to speak through the Word. Allow for times of silence and reflection, so that you can hear what God is telling you. Bring a journal so that you can write down your thoughts and the direction that He gives to you. When you retreat to the wilderness, you realize that God is bigger than your problems and He will protect you even if tens of thousands come against you.